Rape kit backlog sent out for testing Friday, February 27 2015, 09:38 PM

There's no longer a backlog of rape kits waiting to be tested in San Antonio.

That's according to San Antonio police who announced hundreds of rape kits have been sent off for laboratory testing.

Merceds Rives said, "I think that's great, I don't know why they were on back log in the first place.

San Antonio Police Spokesman Sergeant Javier Salazar says the backlog of rape kits was created in part by the lack of funding needed for testing.

Now more than 14-hundred kits will be sent out-of-state and tested for dna evidence. It's evidence that could help prosecute hundreds of rape cases.

Salazar said, "Some of them can run upwards of $2,000. Per kit to test them. It's a very detailed process, it's a painstaking process, it's important, but it can be cost prohibitive."

Aside from funding issues, the backlog was created for a number of other reasons; including cases that were not ideal for prosecution, cases that involved victims who did not want to prosecute, and cases where dna evidence was not needed.

Results of the remaining kits will be entered into the local, state, and national database.

Salazar said, "I'm also happy to report that this latest batch that was sent off came at no cost to san antonio taxpayers."

Money from the department of public safety will pay for testing.

The agency has selected an accredited lab in Virginia.

Rives said, "It allows the victims to potentially get justice for the case, it's a start so that's always nice besides them sitting there never getting any help."

Sgt. Salazar says if warranted, victims will be notified of results to see if they want to move forward with prosecution.